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Technology Stocks : Ballard Power -world leader zero-emission PEM fuel cells
BLDP 2.630-0.4%11:15 AM EST

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To: Sid Turtlman who wrote (1427)12/16/1997 3:53:00 PM
From: Kayaker  Read Replies (2) of 5827
 
Hello Sid

<<Toyota's hybrid car, for sale in Japan now, can already do most of what Ballard/DB/Ford hopes to do seven years from now...>>

I'm a new to Silicon Investor. In fact, this is my first response!

Problems I see with the hybrid car:

According to the article describing Toyota's car, the carbon dioxide level is reduced only by half. A Ballard fuel cell car running on methanol will emit much less carbon dioxide. Because of commitments at the global warming conference, countries will have to make more (and costly) cutbacks on nonauto emissions if using hybrid cars than they would using Ballard fuel cell cars.

Batteries don't work worth beans in cold climates. Ever crank an engine at 30 below?

Batteries are OK for short trips, but when they are drained, you are back to full carbon dioxide emissions.

A "significant investment in the infrastructure" would be required for the installation of chargers at public locations (eg hotels) so that batteries could be recharged.

Charging batteries is no freebie in terms of carbon dioxide emissions. Most of the electricity produced in the US is coal generated, and that would go up significantly if everybody is charging their cars.

Batteries don't last more than a few years. Eventually they have to be replaced, costing hundreds if not thousands of dollars.

Just my 2 cents (CDN).

Bob
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